It is a known fact that interests help to keep you young at heart.
A case in point is retired Rob Munro (71) from Tzaneen who has a passion for model aircraft since the age of eight years.
He attributes this inherited love for planes from his late uncle, Len, who was a full size pilot.
Munro is the oldest member of the Tzaneen Model Aircraft Club which consists of a dozen enthusiasts. The club members fly their planes just beyond the Tzaneen airfield on Sunday afternoons.
Munro quickly admits it’s getting more and more difficult worldwide to continue with this hobby. With the world’s human population ever expanding, land is at a premium and neighbours nearby don’t like the noise on a Sunday afternoon.
In his workshop at home, Munro has all the tools he needs and is surrounded by his planes. He proudly shows his older than 40-year-old Vagabond model aircraft that he is currently fixing.
Most of his planes are built from scratch. Traditionally balsa wood is used as it’s the lightest wood available but it is getting very expensive. He also builds planes made from Depron foam. This is an insulation material used mainly in overseas homes. The disadvantage is that it’s very soft and can break but it can be repaired.
Munro has lost count of how many planes he has built. The USA and the UK use to be the largest manufacturers of model aircraft but China has now captured the market.
He keeps up to date with what is happening in the field by avidly reading modelling magazines.
But even though they contain free plans, he usually draws up his own plans. The bigger models use petrol but Munro has tired of cleaning and now only wants to make his hands dirty with electric models.
When asked what makes grown men still play with toys like these, he replies: “All men play with toys. They just get more expensive the older one gets.”
Building is his forte and flying is the cherry on top. But Munro doesn’t get involved in competitions. He has noticed his reflexes, vital with this hobby, are slowing down.
However, he still just likes to potter around in the sky and will continue to do so.
